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Southeast Region Quarterly Report Summer 2018
Southeast Region Quarterly Report Summer 2018
Above-average temperatures were Precipitation values ranged from 50% The Southeast was free of drought in
recorded over most of the Southeast. of normal in South Carolina to over summer 2018. Frequent rain kept soils
Mean temperatures were in the top 200% of normal in northern Virginia. generally moist in June and July, but
five warmest at 27 long-term stations. Cheraw, SC reported only 8.06 inches a long dry spell in a region stretching
Maximum temperatures were for the period, its 6th driest in 126 from eastern Georgia to south central
generally near normal, but minimum years. Several long-term stations North Carolina at the end of summer
temperatures were 1-4 F above observed their wettest summer on expanded dry conditions there. As of
normal due to high humidity and record, including Washington Dulles August 28, just 4% of the region was
cloud cover. Punta Gorda, FL observed Intl. Airport (22.61 inches) in Virginia. abnormally dry. In Puerto Rico, dry
its warmest summer in 49 years, and Precipitation at most stations in conditions expanded throughout the
Cape Hatteras, NC had its second Puerto Rico was less than 50% of summer and over 50% of the island
warmest summer mean temperature normal, contributing to an increase in was considered abnormally dry by
in 126 years. abnormally dry conditions there. August 28.
Contacts: Chip Konrad, William Schmitz (SERCC) and Pam Knox (UGA) Southeast Region Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook | Sept. 2018
Ellen Mecray (NOAA/NCEI) https://www.drought.gov/drought/resources/reports
Regional Climate Impacts for Summer 2018
Heavy Rain and Flooding Severe Weather
Only eight days were free of severe weather across
the Southeast during summer. Almost 2,300 reports of
severe weather were received according to NOAA’s Storm
Prediction Center, 140% of the normal number based on
2000-2017. About 93% of these reports were associated
with strong winds, and exceptionally wet soils in some
areas contributed to an increased the number of falling
trees.Fourteen confirmed tornadoes were observed
during the summer, less than half of the average count
of 47 tornadoes observed during 2000-2016. On July
11 a tennis-ball-sized hailstone (4.0” diameter) fell near
Covington, AL. On August 16 a tent collapsed in Traditions
Park in Hayden, AL, injuring 12 people. Seven fatalities
were due to the impacts of wind or lightning strikes.
Climate Perspectives rankings of 1.00 inch rain counts summer.
NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center recorded 332 reports Agriculture and Livestock
of heavy rain and 203 reports of flash flooding during Frequent rainfall provided ample moisture for crops but
the summer, most in June and July. More then 20 increased the occurrence of fungal diseases in grapes and
stations reported the number of days with 1 inch or cotton and delayed the harvest of corn. Treatments were
greater rainfall in their top-3 highest. On June 22, delayed due to the almost daily occurrence of showers.
Richmond, VA airport closed for several hours due to Rainfall also slowed hay drying and delayed field work
flooding. Downpours in Charleston on July 4 led to the since equipment could not be used on the saturated soils.
closure of downtown streets due to 9 inches of water Wet conditions early in June delayed the planting of crops
in the roads, impacting holiday tourism. Charleston like cotton. Heavy rainfall in Florida saturated pastures
was hit by a second round of flooding on July 20; a in June and drowned crops in eastern Virginia and North
CoCoRaHS observer reported receiving 8.76 inches of Carolina in August. At the end of August, dry conditions
rain overnight, the highest one-day rainfall reported in in Georgia and the Carolinas forced farmers to irrigate to
the Southeast this summer. The failure of a small dam in improve crop yields.
Emanuel County, GA on July 30 washed out a road and
led to two injuries.
Contacts: Chip Konrad, William Schmitz (SERCC) and Pam Knox (UGA) Southeast Region Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook | Sept. 2018
Ellen Mecray (NOAA/NCEI) #regionalclimateoutlooks